Blog: Center for the Science of Animal Care and Welfare

What is a pangolin? The first time most people hear the name, they mistakenly assume you said “penguin”. When corrected, most then just shake their head or say they have no idea what a pangolin is. This odd-looking creature completely covered in scales may not be well known but unfortunately, they have the distinction of being the world’s most illegally trafficked mammal. And now, people are starting to take notice.

Ben, a 40-year-old male orangutan at Brookfield Zoo, is making a full recovery after an emergency appendectomy on January 23, 2018. The team who performed the surgery included 10 members of the Chicago Zoological Society’s (CZS) veterinary staff as well as medical personnel from AMITA Health Hinsdale and La Grange, including Drs. Eric Yang and William Frymark, general surgeons who have performed this procedure on many of their human patients. Because the anatomy is similar between nonhuman primates and humans, teaming zoo veterinarians with doctors who treat people is fairly routine when it comes to more complicated cases, and even occasionally in other species with specific medical concerns.

Learn how the Chicago Zoological Society worked alongside a team assembled by the Reproductive and Behavioral Sciences Department from Saint Louis Zoo to further advance the science of artificial reproduction to help save the endangered Mexican wolf.

Meet Tapeko and Maxine, the unlikely bottlenose dolphin duo that are solving problems together. Tapeko is a spry 36 year old female and is the matriarch of our pod here at Brookfield Zoo. Maxine is a vivacious 3 year old and the youngest member of the group. Together, they are solving a dolphin version of a vending machine.

Ramar Gorillareached a milestone birthday of 50 years old this month! Brookfield Zoo animal care staff presented him with a frozen cake filled with bananas, apples, pineapples, and raisins and topped with a yogurt frosting and frozen blueberries. He also was given one of his favorites—banana leaves! #wildlysurprising

The Chicago Zoological Society (CZS), which manages Brookfield Zoo, is taking the lead in the largest-ever, multi-institutional study of how physical habitat, environmental enrichment, and animal training impact the welfare of cetaceans in zoos and aquariums worldwide. This study will take place across 44 accredited facilities in seven countries where scientists will gather data regarding approximately 290 common and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, 20 beluga whales, and eight Pacific white-sided dolphins.

One of the last births that took place in 2017 at Brookfield Zoo was a gray seal, born on December 26. The pup is currently behind the scenes nursing, learning how to swim, and bonding with his mother, 13-year-old Lily. This pup is the third for Lily and the sire, 13-year-old Boone.

It’s hard to believe that it has been over a year since our team first introduced you to our chimpanzee welfare study! This project involved collaborating with 16 zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to monitor the welfare of 41 chimpanzees across North America (link to original WelfareTrak® chimp blog – May 2016).

Polar bears are carnivores, but at the zoo they also enjoy a hearty breakfast that includes their favorite treats - carrots and lettuce. All in a day for a polar bear at Brookfield Zoo. Check out some of this charismatic bear's daily activities in this Day in the Life of Hudson Polar Bear.

The Living Coast will be closed from November 22 this year. We close the exhibit for one week every year to do big maintenance projects and animal wellness exams. Once all the work and health checks are complete, the birds return to their home.